Animated toy



Dec. 28,1948. 1-; L S 2,457,270

ANIMATED TOY Filed Nov. 9, 1946 V INVENTOR. Towrper H. Phillips BY A .ltforngy Patented Dec. 28, 1948 ANIMATED TOY Towner H. Phillips,Portland, Oreg. Application November 9-, 1946, Serial No. 708,894

This invention relates to an animated toy and has particular referenceto a toy in the form of an animal which has a characteristic andrealistic motion as it is caused to move across a surface.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy of simple, inexpensiveand durable construction which, when drawn or pushed across a surface,will respond with characteristic movements simulating those of an animalin motion.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are accomplished by theprovision of an animated toy, the construction of which is clearlydisclosed in the following description, and the novel features of whichare particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the animated toy of the invention,represented in the form of a dog.

Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig.2.

Fig. 4 is a broken horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4-4 ofFig. 3 and showing in detail part of the animating mechanism.

As illustrated in the drawing, the animated toy of the inventioncomprises a horizontally elongated body portion Ill, mounted on twopairs of wheels, one pair II being located toward the fore part of thebody and the other pair l2 being positioned toward the rear. The body isformed with a longitudinal groove l3 in its underside within which ispositioned an elongated member M of suilicient length so that both endsextend beyond the body portion II]. the elongated member defines a taill5, while the forward end defines a neck and lower jaw l6 and supportsthe head.

The head comprises a forward or nose portion l1 and two opposite sideportions l8 and IS, the latter extending downwardly to form therebetweena groove or slot adapted to receive the forward part of the elongatedmember M on which the head is pivotally mounted, as by a pivot pin 20extending at substantially right angles through the opposite sideportions [8 and I9 and through the elongated member l4. Ears 2| dependfreely from pivot pins 22 driven into the upper portion of the head andextend downwardly a substantial distance.

The elongated member I4 is supported slidably by front axle 23 and isattached to actuating means comprising the crank portion of the rearaxle 24 by any desired means such as the staple 25.

The rear end of ,4 Claims. (01. 46- 104) When the figure is caused tomove across a'sur face, as bypulling across a floor by means of a string26, attached to the staple or eye 2l,'r0tation of the rear wheels 12induces rotation of the crank 24 thereby causing elongated member M tomove back and forth within the groove l3. Rotation of the crank 24 alsoimparts a rotary motion to the rear end of the elongated member and as aresult, the tail of the figure is caused to move up and down and in andout of the body. The pivot pin 20 is substantially in vertical alignmentwith the center of gravity of the head assembly so that upon reversal ofmovement of the elongated member I 4, the momentum of the head willcarry it over the dead center position to the opposite position of rest.Upon repeated to and fro movement of the member M, the head will rockback and forth accompanied by swinging movement of the ears upon theirsupporting pins and opening and closing movement of the mouth of theanimal. As the toy moves across the floor there is thus caused a motionof tail and head which is both realistic and amusing.

Although the features of the invention have been described andillustrated herein with particular reference to the figure of a dog, itis to be understood that no limitation is intended thereby, and thatthese features are suited equally well for application to divers othertypes of figures.

Having now described my invention, what is claimed as new and desired toprotect by Letters Patent is:

1. An animated toy mounted on wheels comprising a horizontally elongatedbody portion having a longitudinal groove in the bottom thereof, anelongated member positioned within said groove and extending rearwardlyfrom said body portion to form a tail section and forwardly from saidbody portion to form neck and lower jaw sections, a head mounted bytransverse pivot on the forward end of said elongated member tocooperate with said lower jaw section in simulation of a mouth, earspivotally mounted on either side of said head, and means forreciprocally actuating said elongated member.

2. An animated toy mountde on wheels comprising a body, wheelssupporting said body, a longitudinal groove in the lower portion of saidbody, an elongated member positioned within said groove, said elongatedmember extending rearwardly from said body to form a tail section andforwardly from Said body to form neck and lower jaw sections, a headmounted by transverse pivot on said neck section to cooperate with saidlower &2 2,457,270

jaw section in simulation of a mouth, ears pivotally mounted on eitherside of said head and depending therefrom, and crank means forreciprocally actuating said elongated member.

3. An animated toy mounted on wheels comprising a horizontally elongatedbody, wheels supporting said body, a crank connected to at least one ofsaid wheels, an elongated member positioned in the lower portion of saidbody and attached tosaid crank for longitudinal reciprocal tion of saidelongated member, said elongated member extending rearwardly from thebody to form a tail section and forwardly from the body" to form neckand lower jaw sections, and ahead:

mounted by transverse pivot on the forward end of said elongated memberto cooperatewith'said lower jaw section in simulation of amouthn.

4. A animated toy mounted on wheels comprising a horizontally elongatedbody mountedon wheels, one pair of said wheels being located forward-1y:one-said. body' nd conuectedthrough an axleand another of said wheelsbeing located rearward'kv on said body and connected through.

REFERENCES CITED Thetollowing-reterences are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number Starbuck July 3, 1923

